Colonel John Munro Elder

Colonel John Munro Elder, Canadian Army Medical Corps
First World War – Dates of Service: April 6, 1915 to February 2, 1919

John Munro Elder was born on October 29, 1861, the son of George Elder and Catherine Munro. He attended Huntingdon Academy, then entered McGill University in 1877. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts, First Class Honours in Mental and Moral Philosophy in 1881, and earned his medical degree, also with First Class Honours, in 1885. An avid sportsman, Elder captained the McGill football team in his final year.

A long-time member of the 2nd Regiment, Canadian Artillery (Militia), Elder accompanied the unit to Manitoba in 1885 when the Canadian government mobilized the militia during the Northwest (Riel) Rebellion. He served with the militia for over 22 years.

In 1885, Elder married Grace Whitehead Hendrie of Montreal and returned to Huntingdon, Quebec, where he established a medical practice. While practicing there, he also served as an editor for the Huntingdon Gleaner and as Headmaster of Huntingdon Academy.

In 1890, he returned to Montreal to accept a position in McGill University’s Department of Anatomy. He progressed steadily, becoming Senior Demonstrator in 1894. Two years later he became Lecturer in Anatomy and in Medical and Surgical Applied Anatomy. In 1897, he was appointed Assistant Surgeon at the Montreal General Hospital and Demonstrator in Surgery. By 1898, he had been named a full Surgeon and Assistant Professor in the Chair of Surgery.

At the outbreak of the First World War, Elder quickly volunteered for service. He was instrumental in forming No. 3 (McGill) Canadian General Hospital, initially serving as Lieutenant-Colonel and Head of the Surgical Division. In 1917, he assumed command of the hospital and was promoted to Colonel. On 17 July 1918, he relinquished command and was appointed Consulting Surgeon to the British Army, headquartered at Rouen. Returning to Canada in January 1919, he was demobilized in March, having served almost 1,400 days with the Canadian Expeditionary Force.

Dr. Elder died on February 4, 1922, from complications of an acute septic infection he contracted in May 1916 after an accidental needle prick sustained during surgery. His service was recognized by three Mentions in Dispatches from General Sir Douglas Haig, appointment as a Companion of the Most Distinguished Order of St. Michael and St. George (CMG), and the award of the Commander of the Military Order of Aviz by the Portuguese Government for saving the lives of Portuguese soldiers during the war.